Photo by ISIphotos.com
U.S. men's national team head coach Bob Bradley has had some tough decisions to make regarding his starting lineup during the Confederations Cup, but his decisions heading into Sunday's final can be boiled down to one.
Who will replace Michael Bradley?
When thinking about the starting lineup for the rematch with Brazil, you can't really argue against coach Bradley keeping the same group that has defeated Egypt and Spain by a combined score of 5-0. What Bradley must do is decide on how to replace his son, who is missing the final after being issued a highly questionable red card vs. Spain (and no, there will be no appeal or overturning of that red card so forget that idea).
Bradley has a variety of options to choose from, but one player has earned the right to start.
That player is Benny Feilhaber.
While he certainly didn't have the best game in his lone start of the tournament, Feilhaber has been very good in his appearances since, capped by his sharp ball movements leading to Clint Dempsey's goal in the win vs. Spain. Sure, the image of seeing him stripped by Giuseppe Rossi leading up to Italy's first goal in the U.S. team's 3-1 loss, but Feilhaber has played well since and merits the start.
Bradley's other options? Sacha Kljestan is regarded as the leading contender, but his foolish red card vs. Brazil capped a forgettable performance by the Chivas USA midfielder. Jose Francisco Torres is a good option off the bench, but he has yet to play in this tournament so starting him in the final wouldn't make much sense.
That leaves Feilhaber, the Brazilian-born midfielder failed to impress the last time he started against his native country (Brazil's 4-2 friendly win in Chicago in 2007). On that day Feilhaber was clearly out of form and facing the effects of not playing for Derby County. Now, Feilhaber has slowly worked his way into the national team mix and has played well as a substitute (including an impressive showing vs. Brazil). On Sunday, the U.S. team will need him to play well as a starter.
With Feilhaber in the lineup, here is what we should see vs. Brazil:
————Altidore———-Davies—————
Donovan———————————-Dempsey
—————Clark———-Feilhaber————
Bocanegra—-Onyewu——DeMerit——Spector
———————–Howard———————–
One lineup variation I'm hearing a lot of is having Dempsey start up top and Davies on the wing. The reason that isn't ideal is because Davies is best-suited up top, where his speed can cause trouble and he can keep pressure on opposing centerbacks, but more importantly, because Dempsey brings better defensive work, possession and passing to the table on the right flank, where it is needed the most. Now, if there were a natural right midfielder in the U.S. pool who could provide the work rate, possession, passing and ability to beat defenders that Dempsey does, I think we would see Dempsey up top. Unfortunately, that player doesn't exist right now.
What do you think of this lineup? Would you stick with the same group that got you to the final? Would you go with Feilhaber over the other midfield options? Are you confident that the Americans can put together another strong performance and exact some revenge against Brazil on its way to the Confederations Cup title?
Share your thoughts below.
Alitdore
Donovan
Bornstien-Clark-Benny-Dempsey
Boca-Gooch-Demerit-Spector
I’m worried about our left wing becasue Brazil attacks down the right wing so much I think a defensive hard-working midfielder like Bornstien can help neutrilize them.
Donovan and Dempsey may switch throughout the game.
Sub:Davis,Torres or Adu,
Every body turn it to ESPN Jozy is on PTI
Of course as a forward goes out Deuce goes top. (forgot to mention that in previous post)
The Jozy McBride comparison is not valid. They are very different players. McBride never possessed the one on one skill that Jozy has. Jozy wont ever have the aerial game that McBride has displayed. Of course, Jozy won’t get his jaw broken as many times.
This has been a superlative soccer week. can’t wait for sunday. Don’t want to see Sasha, Casey or Beasely. time for Torres and Adu.
DEmpsey stays on the wing. His work rate has been proven despite Harkes’ comments.
(For the first time ever I’ve stopped listening to the games. I have a hard time with his WHINY delivery. Although I did notice – and it’s kind of funny – after both the goals, his mic goes dead and you can hear a faint WOO HOO through JP’s mic. And on the second goal there’sa big slurp – hopefully it was a beer. If you can watch the goals again on ESPN360 and listen closely.)
Line-up like Ives says. Subs – if we are losing or tied should be Torres or Adu in place of whicever forward is gassed. If we are ahead I have no problem with bring in the big slow white dude to hold up the ball – Casey. And BB’s choice to bring in Bornstein was perfect. Do it again.
And for the love of God/Jah/Buddha/Allah…please, please please….no red cards. If you leave your feet make at least a yard away from the play to block said shot/cross/pass (I just discovered the “/” key – lol)
I think that no matter the result of the Brazil game this tournament has served it’s purpose for US Soccer. We’ve found some revelation players with Charlie Davies who has been great taking pressure off Altidore and even scoring a goal.
DeMerit who has been a monster at the back and is probably one of the few players where all of the fan hype has been properly placed.
Spector has also taken on a destroyer look in recent matches and cant be forgotten for the cross to Dempsey in the Egypt game. He may well have advanced past Hejduk in this tournament.
The fans have been fantastic, you guys in particular; they’ve been passionate about the team and have really stuck with them despite all that has happened.
Ives has been amazing with all the coverage he’s been giving; this is my first major tournament i’ve followed with the SBI Mafia and I am having a fan-freaking-tastic time.
I couldn’t be prouder of this team and no matter the result on Sunday i’ll support them 100% afterwards.
The tournament has been a success.
i think torres starts in place of bradley, although i would like to see him starting anyway
Why haven’t we worn our change kit in this competition?
demps should not be up top, his job is tobe a playmaker on the wing and when the game goes on and players are getting tired, he goes up top to fight for balls and score while we get new legs in the midfeild with out loosing anything, its strategy
One thing I can tell you guys is that USA has nothing to loose if Bob Bradley change the lineup a bit, Remember we already made to the final in a tournament that we supposed to be out of. So been Second place is still sweet even better that is not Rossi and Italia in this final. Don’t get me wrong I would love our Team USA win this cause not only USA will be notice and taking more consideration all over the world. But is that final and we already won, been champion is just a icing on the cake. So those who are saying no Adu, Torres or Pairing Dempsey at top with either Altidore or Davis are nuts cause I think they can create something plus I’ll give Bob Bradley a new weapon for most important game coming up which is Win at the Azteca on August 10. So GO USA GIVE ALL YOU GOT AND MAKE US PROUD EVEN THO YOU ALREADY WON IN MY HEART. USA USA USA!!!!
I agree with Tony: Benny has, so to speak, come back from the dead.
Benny always was a classy player — the way he made the second goal, that is why supporters are clamoring for him, Torres, and even Adu.
Bob Bradley let it be known that Benny needed an attitude adjustment. And for a while — injuries notwithstanding — it looked like he was on ice.
Now, with Kljestan showing he is simply not up to the job, Benny has been taking his chance very nicely. Against Brasil, he deserves to be in the first 11.
But it makes one wonder. Torres is an exceedingly promising player. What is going on that he is frozen out? I hope he gets a proper chance to win a place in the first 11. It makes no sense if he is being punished for the goal against Costa Rica.
But credit where credit is due — the team looked magnificent against Spain and Egypt.
Oh my word, has Bob Bradley finally found his optimal starting 11??? Pending a resurgence in form for Cherundolo, Heduk. Or a gem in Jones.
Can Feilhaber play on the wing? and defend on the wing? Because to be honest the thing I keep thinking is the best player to replace Michael Bradley is Landon Donovan. Clark plays the defensive midfield role and Landon plays the holding midfield role. The idea being that Landon plays a Claudio Reyna type role maintaining possession, distributing, and playing defence, surging forward when the opportunity presents itself. Landon played great defense against Spain and was one of the only US players who showed poise on the ball in the 2nd half- not giving it away with a silly pass or a long aimless clearance.
I wouldn’t want to tinker to much either, but I would be tempted to put Dempsey in front of Bocanegra on the left and Feilhaber in front of Spector on the right, have Clark cheat to the right to support that side and play donovan in a holding role in front of the defense to maintain possession, link up with the wingers, and pick his spots to make counter-attacking runs upfield.
Just a thought.
primoone:
There’s general agreement on this board that Kljestan is not on form, so I wouldn’t start him. Feilhaber probably cannot go 90, so I would consider bringing on SK in the 70th minute to finish the game – especially if the US is leading or tied. BF may not have the defensive chops the SK has, but he will definitely be better at playing the ball out of the back as opposed to hoofing it up the field and giving possession back to Brazil.
As for who is the best partner for Jozy up top I remind everyone that Ching had a hand in all three goals that Jozy scored against T&T. With Jozy/Ching Ching is the target and Jozy is the runner; with Jozy/Davies Jozy is the target and Davies is the runner. Both setups work.
I too am curious about Jozy/Dempsey, but I don’t want to try that pair for the Confed Cup final.
The one thing I think the US cannot do is have only one striker up top. When this occurs the striker gets lost and is nearly completely ineffective. If the MF’s need help to keep from being overrun, the strikers need to drop further back and we have to give up the moonball down the field.
Fingers crossed for a positive result on Sunday. Vamos USA!!
“Can Jozie? Time will tell but from the looks of the last few games, even the ones they lost, he has the makings of a player like McBride. Hopefully, Fulham can pick him up and he will truley be walking in his footsteps.”
Is there real talk of Jozy perhaps ending up with Fulham next year? That would be great if so.
Again, I feel like I am out on a limb here but I don’t see Jozy ever being a McBride type striker because, unless I am seeing things incorrectly, Altidore isn’t very good in the air (IMO).
South Africa showed yesterday that we’re gonna have to change shape and go with 1 forward and 2 high wingers, and flood the midfield to keep the brazilian wing-backs pinned on their side of the pitch
Maicon killed us on the right last game, and Boca’s gonna need some help so it’s not constantly a 2 on one down the right flank
Altidore
dempsey donavan davies
feilhaber clark
Bornstien is a sleeper at left mid. He has good wheels. and if Boca has to pick up his man, he’s played enough outside to tuck in behind Boca. The kid is not swiss cheese despite some critics getting on him.
The would put LD more in left center. Or Dempsey with LD outside right. A good position for him.
Beto
Personnally, I do not like the Altidore-Ching combo. I think you have too similar players trying to do the same thing. All those years with McBride up front brought success because you had players who were able to play up front with him. I agree with your point about Dempsey but fitness should not be a problem for a guy who plays regularly in the EPL. But if you noticed, he has scored his last two goals late in the game.
I have never been a big fan if Ching. I think he is a nice player but not one who can perform consistantly on the world stage. Can Jozie? Time will tell but from the looks of the last few games, even the ones they lost, he has the makings of a player like McBride. Hopefully, Fulham can pick him up and he will truley be walking in his footsteps.
a couple of reservations with the suggested line-up
1) while i freaking love benny, i do wonder abotu his fitness to replace bradley. in the sense that we have already seen a post about about bradley running 12km per match. is benny fit enough to do that?
2) last 2 matches we have gotten great goals by inserting a fresh benny in late game and pushing dempsey up. Obviously if benny starts that wont work. Unless we sub in adu late and once again push dempsey up. I have the feeling this could possibly work well.
3) I do not want to see sacha play. In a the more defensive role (the only reason we would want him on there) i think he will most definitely end up with a red. he just does not seem to have any defensive restraint at the moment when going for tackles.
thats all i got right now!’
GO USA!
I agree with the players Ives but what about Dempsey in the middle with Clark?
I know re-introducing him to the role versus Brazil is risky but he played D-mid some in MLS and certainly has more fight and bite than Benny.
Ok Pete. Like I said I am a complete novice regarding tactics and positioning. My football experience ended playing CFB for a state champion under 14 team back in the early ’80’s:)
Anyway I am just a big fan and know who I like and don’t like when I see them play. I really like Davies and I think I understand what you are getting at but how would Altidore – Dempsey be fundamentally different from Altidore – Ching? That Altidore – Ching combo seemed to work well as I remember it and isn’t that the odds on favorite in terms of striker combo going forward? Dempsey does seem to get dispossessed of the ball quite often though so perhaps that is the difference. I don’t know… sometimes I just think Dempsey might be better if he just didn’t have the added pressure of really needing to track back alot. He seems to not want to do that at times IMO. He just seems out of place and not at his best when on the wing IMO. Maybe he is just gassed.
It seems like ten percent of the people that post on SBI are still clamoring for Adu. Thats better than the 20 percent of a week ago but still I just don’t get what people see in him. I was at the first game he scored a profesional goal, but even then I didn’t get the hype. I feel bad for the kid and I hope he does well at the GC. but until he proves himself he hardly even deserves a spot on the USMNT roster
Have any of us done any work this week?
Beto
Having Jozie paired with Davies is the perfect big, target player and and the quick, smaler player to play off of him. It will keep defenses guessing if Jozie will keep the ball or dish it off. I think if you put Clint up there with Jozie, you lose his biggest strength, holding the ball. Clint will not run off of him and now you have changed the player that Jozie is and that is not good.
I agree with Ives lineup but what do people think about Altidore and Dempsey up front with Donovan, Clark, Feilhaber, and Torres in the midfield and Davies subbing at some point?
I am a complete novice with these things and honestly I am not a fan of Dempsey but he has been productive in the box. It seems to me that Feilhaber is decent defensively and Torres is very calm and controlled on the ball – able to hold the ball and one of our better distributors(?) – which might be of great benefit against Brazil no?
Clint needs a long vacation after this…
I too hope Adu eventually starts getting some playing time, just not in this game. If he sees the field Sunday then something has gone horribly wrong. He’s played only sporadically over the past year, so his fitness is probably way less than where it should be.
I think Freddie has great/really good potential, but let’s not explore that potential in a game of this magnitude.
I am curious about the following:
Was the last time Adu saw the pitch was when the USMNT down a goal? Being down a goal was he sent on with specific instructions to create and score or was he sent on to defend so that someone else could create? When was the last time anyone saw Adu play long enough to give an accurate appraisal of his defensive ability?
Ives or one of the regular adamant Adu critics answer these questions please. Many thanks.
It is the following stat that has me both impressed with the team as well as worried about our level of exhaustion:
“Distance covered
USA monopolise the podium when it comes to South Africa 2009’s hardest-working players, and Bob Bradley has particular reason to be proud of his son and star midfielder, who has covered an average of over 12 kilometres per match. Incidentally, the best-placed Spaniard in these standings, Xavi, lies a lowly 37th, underlining the European champions’ ability to let the ball do the work.
The leaders: Bradley (36,426 metres), Dempsey (34,855), Donovan (34,263)
”
That’s almost a marathon for each of them. Especially in the case of Dempsey, I don’t know how much he could possibly have left in him. Donovan I think can handle it.
“Angel you’re crazy. Adu and Torres have no business within 500 miles of the starting lineup.”
Well this comment is 50% correct. Adu certainly should not get a start. And niether should Benny as they are not currently geared to go a long stretch. I mean seriously, they dont get regular playing time with their club and thats the first thing you want to look at. You can make a case for josy…but lets face it. He is the only thing we have up there. If i were the coach…and thank god im not..Sasha gets another start to redeem his aweful play. Rico got another chance and did very well. Lets see what sasha can do and make a decision after that. Let his play dictate his fate…
Not taking anything away from benny because I think he can add to the attack in different ways but the midfield will suffer horribly with 3 attacking Midfielders. but lets face it…from a defensive aspect…he is no Sasha. My 2 cents.
well I think is kind of hard to Moonwalk with cleats (Sorry if I misspell) plus on the grass ummm but it will be awesome tho. I think the one who can do that is Dempsey since he into Hip Hop and I think he can break also…lmao
Ives
Spot on. Why change unless yo have to and feilhaber is perfect. You will not get the same sharp passes or defense as Bradley but you will not drop off too much.
On a side note, I have never been a fan of Harkes as a player or broadcaster but leading up to the Confed. Cup, he was starting to grow on me. Since watching the Confed. Cup, I believe he openly has a man crush on Donovan. You would think that Landon is the second coming of Pele or Georgie Best. Harkes never critizes him. He always puts the blame on the other players, never on Landon. Look, I think Landon is a nice player but when the guy shows up for big games once in a blue moon, at least as an “impartial broadcaster”, call a spade a spade and tell the people that Landon does make mistakes, a lot of mistakes. Bring back Wynalda. He makes some people mad but he tells the truth and says what real soccer fans are thinking. I miss him.
Personnally, I would not loose much sleep if Bradely simply took him out of the lineup. I would be willing to bet that all this “responsibility” that Landon is apparently holding would be evenly passed out to the rest of the team.
I like Ives’ lineup. Given the way the team played against Spain, I don’t think you mess with anything.
My team for the world Cup 2010 is
Goal keepers: Howard, Guzan,
Defenders: Spector, Bocanegra, Oguchie, DeMerit, Orozco, Cherendulo, Pearce, Bornstein.
Midfielders: Donovan, Adu, Torres, Jones, Bradley, Feilhaber, Clark, Beasley,Edu
Fowards: Altidore, Davis, Dempsey, Cooper, Ching
————Altidore———-Davies—————
Donovan———————————-Dempsey
—————Bradley———-Jones————
Bocanegra—-Onyewu——DeMerit——Spector
———————–Howard———————-
You can add more to the list who would like to see on the World Cup 2010 please no Sasha…
just hope if someone scores they moonwalk, that would be awesome.
Posted by: dman23 | June 26, 2009 at 01:13 PM
You have no idea how much my excitement is heightened for this game simply because of this post. It was already at 110%. Now it’s like 400%.
I like Dempsey starting in the midfield, and moving up top later. He has an INCREDIBLE nose for goal. He has also mastered the ability to push off defenders and not get called for it.
Clint is vying for the top spot in the Castol Index!!
I CAN’T BELIEVE WE’RE GOING TO THE FINALS!!!
This is so Great!
To follow up on Jammer’s point – I’m more interested to see how Jermaine Jones will slide into this midfield.
Feilhaber is rated.. I expect he will be key in upping our Shots on goal
Feilhaber will play, since he’s the only midfielder who’s been on the field recently. I’d like to see Torres or Adu slot in for Bradley, playing ahead of Clark (but I know that ain’t gonna happen).
Everyone asking about an appeal.. FIFA doesn’t allow appeals! They are run like a typical autocratic international bureaucracy with no checks on the system to prevent corruption. The non-accountability and the draconian nature of red cards are the worst aspects of soccer. But no it will not change. In America we always try to fix problems, so it is very dispiriting to see a broken system and know we have no power to fix it, ever. A black mark on the sport.
Feilhaber doesn’t have the defense Bradley does, but sometimes he makes very smart plays on offense. We will have to hope it will make up for it.
To me, the more interesting question is next year’s World Cup. The current squad has had such great teamwork and chemistry for the last two games, and has developed amazing confidence. (That’s what the conf cup is really for.) So, when Edu comes back, do you break up the lineup to let him in? I don’t think so.
I’m pretty sure Torres is already cap-tied after playing in a qualifier. I do want to see him play more and he’d be my first sub if we’re needing more offense, but I’d start Benny.
No, Dempsey should not start up top. You need him going up and down with his workrate to shut down the right side with team defense. Davies can’t do that like Dempsey has become an expert at.
Two reoccurring comments baffle me. The first is moving Dempsey up top. Why? First off, just because Davies is fast, doesn’t mean he can play the wing. In fact, his lack of vision around the goal – just ask Landon Donovan, he of the waving arms at the top of the box – and his off target crosses hardly suggest a guy who can walk in and play wing against Brazil. And where is the evidence that he will contribute on defense? Finally, his speed exhausted the Spain back four and will be even more effective against Brazil. Leave him where he is.
Also, Dempsey has grown each game, putting in a two-way work rate against Spain that was positively Donovan-esque. Why take him out of that role now?
The other comment is the demand for Torres. Yeah, I think the guy has great potential – but he, Benny and Freddy are similar type players. And Benny has done a complete Lazarus this tournament. He deserves the start.
Ives, any word on who the ref is for Sunday? Anyone but Larrionda and I would LOVE Massimo Bussaca.
Nevermind, thanks for that, Doughboy.
Agreed. Can the USSF ask for the red to thrown out?
If we stay out of trouble – Subs – Bornstein, Casey, Pearce (if we are winning). Adu/Torres (if we are losing).
Good luck guys!!!
Please no Beasley or Sacha. This a game to a look at Adu and Torres as sub.
New Don’t Tread On Me Design
http://store.objectivo.com/home/usa-don-t-tread-on-me-flag-t-shirt.html
jozy charlie
ld, clark, failhieber (jewish-brazilian), deuce
boca, demerit, gooch, spencer
howard
Come On Bob’s Army!!!
I think we use the same Lineup as last game…………but man i would be so pissed if we are 0-0 or down 1-0 or 2-0 and Conor Casey comes in Before Adu as our super-sub……how bad would that Be!
VolsnCards5–granted.
But I am actually confident that they will be mistaken…